The pictures from Yellostone

Pictures of Yellowstone July 2008

So maybe I have been a slacker . . . . . . . . .

Well in a feeble attempt to catch up on the summer and fall fun I think I will begin with

July 24th.

As you all remember Randy and I went on a fabulous 4 day vacation with Jake and Britt to Yellowstone. It was a wonderful, anticipated break for Randy and I and we all had the time of our lives. It was blazing hot at home during July and we were afraid the weather might be the same in Yellowstone BUT to our delight the weather was perfect, I mean perfect! It felt like it was spring and did it ever renew our spirits. Jake planned great accommodations for us in a different part of the park each night. We had such a fun time being with Jake and Britt. Just the drive alone was so fun. We ate at a good old truck stop cafe in Idaho (complete with covered wagon looking booths) on the way there. We stopped at the Temple in Idaho falls and reminisced about old vacations. We made it to the west entrance of Yellowstone and promptly spotted a bald eagle and a big old buffalo. Well, that was only the beginning of our adventure of spotting animals. We arrived at our rustic cabin at Canyon Lodge area. Then we hit the road for prime time animal spotting. It was breathtaking. Honestly, I have never seen more wildflowers in all of my life. We must have hit it just right. ALL of the hills were covered with them. It seemed like a rainbow carpet of flowers everywhere you looked. The thing that made it so grand was that there were all different varieties. And they were all mixed together. We stopped just to stare at them and off of the side of the road wandered a coyote who preceded to cross the road just a few yards aways from us. We watched him head up the hillside of flowers as we spotted some Elk up a little higher. We drove south from there and spotted dear, some trophy elk and more. It was back to the lodge and our cabin. We ate just before everything closed down and headed to our cozy cabin.

ALL ABOARD

Jake pulled out their "Train "board game and started to set it up for a late night game before bed. Well, he thought the game would go quicker if we played in teams so he gave Randy and I our cards and as we were looking at them to plan our strategy we noticed that one of them said Lehi - American Fork February 15 2009. Well, since we are getting older and slower in many ways we couldn't figure out why we had a card that said that. It took a little prompting from Jake but before long we figured it out. A BABY! We were so very happy. I cried and cried and laughed and hugged and cried some more. What a great blessing. Nothing is better. Truly nothing! So actually everything else on the trip pales in comparison to this night but I will continue my travelogue.......

July 25

We headed out bright and early today, well not too early but we hit the road pretty early. Jake and Randy got up even earlier and ran right into a HUGE herd of buffalo. They were still there when they took Britt and me to see them. They were in the road and Britt had just barely rolled up her window when a huge one stuck his big head next to the window and gave us a big juicy snort. Glad the window was up on that one. Well we had a great day in the canyon area. We stopped and saw everything. Jake took some great pictures that his secretaries enlarged and framed to put in his new office. We drove towards the Mammoth area of the park. People told us that this was the place to spot the most animals. We stopped and checked into our cute, cute 50's like white cottage. It had a front porch with lattice work and all. We then headed out towards the north east entrance in Montana. We had a wonderful lunch in a cute western town. I think it was Cook City ? I was able to buy our new baby his/her first souvenir an official Yellowstone bear. We spotted many an animal including a couple of bears. We headed back to Mammoth and had dinner in the cafeteria there along with more sightseeing. Tonight was the night of taking the road less traveled. We thought we would see tons of animals but to no avail after about 1 hour of prime time spotting on "The road less traveled" we decided to take the main road again. We had much better luck.

July 26

We packed us a quick breakfast and found us a cute little campground by a river to eat it at. Then we were off to Geyser country. We watch a couple of mom elks and their youngsters eating on the banks of a stream. One of the "toddlers" decided to make a run for it from his momma. He "swam"away from all the others as fast as he could go and climbed upon a small island and sank down into the tall grass. His momma was there quick as a wink after him. Jake and I decided it was time to go as well. Then it was off to see Old Faithful. We found the best place to watch it . . . . on the deck of the Old Faithful lodge. It was perfect, shady and we ate our lunch while waiting for it to blow. Later, after an ice cream cone we were just saying how this was the first vacation that we haven't seen someone we know when all of a sudden out of the crowd Jake saw good old Kurt Turner from our ward. We stopped and talked to Jan, Tony, Kurt, Bart, Trent and his little girl. They were on their way to Canada to visit with Garth and his wife. Well, I must say the most memorable part of this day was yet to come. We had just finished eating a wonderful steak dinner at the Lodge at Lake Yellowstone ,we were celebrating Jake's new position of Principal of Lincoln Academy, when we hit the road again. We went to some hot pots during "Prime Time" of the evening. As we were getting out of the car I stopped and read a warning sign in the parking lot about buffalo's and how fast and dangerous they are and to never approach them. Well low and behold not long afterward as Randy and I were just about to turn around and head back to the car a big old buffalo sauntered up over a hill to our left and proceeded down the hill towards us and the trail. He was only like 25 yards away. Well, being the obedient girl that I am I decided to get as far away from the buff as possible. So I proceeded to run, yes run . . . well to most I am sure it looked like brisk chugging, up the trail which was quite steep to a wooden bridge area. I was quite scared. I kept looking back and he was hot on our trail. My husband did not run as fast and continued to take pictures of the big buff until he got off the trail and headed into the woods. Well, we spent the night at lake Yellowstone. The grand old yellow hotel that overlooks the lake. It looks like the hotel in the movie "Somewhere in time." It is awesome. We had breakfast along the lake and started our trip home BUT not before an outstanding Momma Bear and her cub sighting. They were both very close to the road. Jake and Randy hurried up the hill and got great pictures of the baby bear climbing up a tree. We drove through the Tetons and got some great pictures. It is beautiful. They have a great visitors center and museum. We had lunch in Jackson Hole, got gas and headed for Logan to visit with Jaclyn, Taylor, Claire and Kyle. Unfortunately, just as we were headed up a very steep incline not very far out of Jackson Hole our car began to loose power. It kept going slower and slower and slower until we came to a stop. Jake and Randy got out and tried everything they knew to try and figure out what was wrong. We thought it was bad gas in Jackson or something to do with a filter. Anyway, after a lot of prayer, ALOT OF PRAYERS we were driving very slowly towards Utah. We made it to a small town and got some help at a store. Luckily we finally made it to Logan and Jackie had a nice dinner waiting for us. A great ending to a wonderful weekend.

WHAT HEAVEN SEES IN YOU

SOOOOOOO, with the new announcement in mind I would like to dedicate the following clip entitled "WHAT HEAVEN SEES IN YOU / THREE WHITE DRESSES to my two beautiful granddaughters and to their exceptional mothers Jaclyn and Britten. Watch out ya'll this may make you cry.....
With great love to all four of you. love nana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMfr9Ewp8o4

IT'S A GIRL

Now this just can't wait. Last friday Britt and Jake went to the doctor and Britt had her sonogram and as was previously said IT'S A GIRL!!!!! We are so excited an other sweet little baby girl will be added to our growing family on or around Valentines Day!!! Congratulations Jake, Britt and Angel baby girl! We love you. PS We can pretty much tell already that you are an extremely beautiful daughter of God and that he has sent your mommy and daddy the best of the best.

"Where did the summer go?" she said........

Wow I must be a terrible blogger. It has been over a month since I last posted a blog. This was to be my journal, more or less. So the next few days I will have to play catch up for the last of July and the month of August. It was a crazy 5 weeks with many great and wonderful events, opportunities and adventures. As for now, I am headed over to my mommas for a sleep over. She was in the hospital for 3 days and improved quickly so she is once again home but very weak and tired. It took alot out of her. Goodnight

Welcome, welcome soon to be grandbaby #3

I put a pregnancy ticker on the right hand side of this for my 3rd grandbaby. Jake and Britt announced that they were expecting while we were with them in Yellowstone. They told us on July 24 in our cabin while we were playing their train game. Jake made a card that looked just like the ones you play the game with announcing our "trip from Lehi to American Fork" on February 15, 2009. We were so very excited!!!!!!!!

There is nothing like COMING HOME for the Lehi Roundup Days

Logan Trips Spring/Summer 2008

Trips to Logan, Utah 2008

We have had a lot of day trips and overnighters to Logan the past year and I have yet to publish any photos from them. Jackie is so hospitable and cooks us such wonderful dinners when we go for a visit. We love to surprise Claire with a visit. Last week when Suzy, Randy and I drove up we quietly walked around the side of the house where she was swinging and surprised her. She jumped off her swing, stood and looked at us all for several seconds and then said with her arms held out to her side " I didn't know, I didn't know" and she ran and gave us all her famous tight Claire Bear hugs along with her "Happy Dancing" You just can't beat that!!! It's the best. You can't visit the Herrin's without going to a park to play. Logan has so many wonderful parks. Jac and Taylor took us to a new one they have found. I think it is called Ryan's Park. It is awesome and we had a wonderful evening with them. We also love Willow Park and we have been there many times with Claire and Kyle. The zoo there is awesome. It really is!

Help I've lost my background!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary Jake and Britt

It's hard to believe that it has been 2 years. We love you both and have a wonderful weekend! Love Nana and the cowboy!

Our Handsome Son The Principal of Lincoln Academy

Mr. Jacob Hunt Director
During my two years as a teacher at Lincoln I have grown to relish the philosophy and atmosphere of our school. The best thing about teaching is watching as children come to enjoy learning. My favorite moments are when I see the look on a student's face change from confusion to excitement at the acquisition of new knowledge. With this new opportunity to be the director, my vision is for every student to have a quality educational experience at Lincoln. I expect students to have hands-on activities where they experience science and social studies. I expect them to be challenged by our Math and Language Arts programs. I expect them to have fun, play, and grow together. I look forward to getting to know the students, parents, and families of Lincoln better. I was born and raised in Lehi, Utah where I enjoyed sports, academic achievement, and family time. My love of sports took me to Dixie State College where I played football for two years. I was an All-Conference athlete as well as an Academic All-American student-athlete. I discovered many things while attending Dixie. I discovered my propensity for leadership. For three years I served as an Ambassador for Dixie State College where I worked closely with school administration to recruit new students and with the student government to increase school support. During my sophomore and junior years I served as Vice-President and then President of the Ambassador club. I spent my last year in college as the Student Body President of Dixie State College. As Student Body President I increased student participation, introduced service learning into the school, oversaw all student activities, and represented students views to the board of trustees. I discovered my love for teaching. I originally wanted to be a doctor. However when I took an introduction to elementary education class (hoping to meet single girls), I fell in love with teaching and working with young people. I changed direction, was named Elementary Education Student of the Year, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. My first job in education was teaching 5th grade at East elementary in St. George. I discovered the love of my life as I was watering tropical plants after school as a part-time job for my friend's company. She was a beautiful aide at a physical therapy treatment center, and I was the water boy. We dated, fell in love, and were married. She is the best thing that has happened to me in my life. We came home to Utah County to start our lives together. I discovered Lincoln Academy on a Saturday morning in an American Fork park. I was immediately attracted to the people, facility, philosophy, parental support, and atmosphere Lincoln offered. As I taught, I tried to make subjects come alive. My classroom was a miniature city, complete with jobs, checks, insurance agents, city council, banks, and advertising agencies. We used pudding, cookies, and Jell-O to demonstrate plate tectonics. I had students sort beans to loud factory sounds, experience the fear of coming to a new country not knowing the language, and create their own Egyptian sarcophagus. Additionally, during this time, I acted as the Elementary Department Head and Curriculum Director. Shortly after beginning my employment at Lincoln, I began working on my Masters in Educational Administration which has provided me with a broad educational knowledge and practical experience. As director, I see Lincoln as a safe, friendly, supportive school. I am amazed at the amount of support parents provide. I see the education of a student as a team effort. Parents, teachers, and the student work together in this educational endeavor to create something brilliant. It is an exciting time to be a part of Lincoln Academy. hunt@lincoln-academy.org

Awesome Tributes to President Hinckley

There are so many to choose from but these five are outstanding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM8q1rwG1E0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgBPCG_kmgY&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leeT5r8-hzw&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DONH655IR1E&watch_response

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD7nNQWLuGk

To my 4 wonderful daughters I love you all

As of today, this is one of my all time favorite video clips. You all know how much I loved President Julie Becks Octobers General Conference Talk on "Mothers Who Know" well I found the best video clip ever that I hope you will all watch and love as much as I do. Enjoy !!!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/clarksiler

Part 2 "Someday you will laugh about this"

Here it is 4 days later and I am just getting around to posting part two of this particular blog. As I write these memories I need you all to know that I love and rely upon the following scriptures in my life.....D&C 24:8, D&C 58:2-4, D&C 136:31 and D&C 122:7 ". . . . All these things shall give thee experience and shall be for they good." So with that introduction I thought I would take a walk down memory lane and post just a few incidents related to the AC (curse). I feel safe in doing so because as of midnight tonight the week will be officially OVER. Hmmmm maybe I should wait to publicly post this until then. Anyway as was previously mentioned our family should lay low during this infamous week and as I speak, only one unfortunate incident has happened this year, but to Danny and Meg it was a big one. On the afternoon of . . .
July 9, 2008 Danny began to get very sick. He had horrible stomach pains like he did in the summer of 2000. So, being a poor, starving student trying to save money for his move to Minnesota for Air Traffic Control School he decided to try and tough it out and waited until July 11 in the middle of the night to go to the emergency room. Fortunately, he was given many drugs to control the pain in IV's etc but we are pretty sure it was the same as in 2000 when his abdominal lymph nodes became inflamed and enlarged, but this time his appendix and gall bladder are already gone! But lets take a little stroll back in time shall we? It seemed like my children or other family members actively pursued mishaps to interfere with our yearly Anniversary celebration on July 7th. One such July 7th . . . . .
July 7, 1993 - My Dad was hospitalized again with his Parkinson's disease and the after effects of his bout with severe spinal meningitis in May when he was hospitalized for weeks. Outcome: continued long road of recovery for him.
July 7, 1995- Jake was a sophomore in High School and going over to the weight room every morning to get big and buff for football. I remember him basically crawling into the living room in intense pain with a compression fracture of two of his vertebra - Outcome.... Lots of therapy and hard work all summer long but was a starting offensive and defensive lineman and kicker on the JV team.
July 7, 2000 - Danny had a homemade firework explode in his hand and he got horrible 3rd degree burns. Outcome - It could have been so much worse. Need I say more!
July 7, 2000 - Jaclyn found a lump in the crease of her thigh. Outcome - Surgery
An while I am at it .....................................Lets just include the entire month of July shall we?
July 9, 2000 - Suzy had an emergency appendectomy after months of severe bouts of pain that no one picked up on. Outcome- Hospital stay, missed basketball camp, but reportedly the best day of her life up to that point! Go figure?????
July 11, 2000 - I took our laptop to Totally Awesome Computers to be repaired. They destroyed our hard drive and physically lost it as well as erasing all back ups! Hunt's Pest Control's entire business is lost. Outcome- months and months of trying to recover all of the lost information on 100's of accounts.
July 12, 2000- Jaclyn was operated on for the hernia she received from falling down the stairs at Miss Utah the end of June. Outcome - She and Suzy spent alot of time together hunched over and comparing stitches and scars. The hospital staff laughed and laughed at us and our AC curse. Oh and Jaclyn won Miss Utah County just weeks after surgery!
July 2000 - Randy's car broke down 3 times and had to be towed to Lehi all 3 times. Outcome - costly repair bills.
July 2000 - Our clothes dryer started on fire for the 3rd and last time. Outcome - A new dryer. Under warranty!
Okay, Okay so that was our very worst year for the month of July but can you see a pattern here???????? Just so you all realize it continues on and on and on.........
July 30, 1983 - Jaclyn (2 years old) Hearing the mixers going early in the morning, got out of bed, pushed her little step stool over to the counter and before I could react , her beautiful long blond curls were tangled up in one of the two the mixers. It jammed the beaters, stopped and started up again and literally pulled it out from next to the scalp all within seconds. Yes, she was scalped. Outcome - Pain and more pain for my baby. Tons of guilt and tears from me. Huge bald spot covered over by a side swoop ponytail for months. Thank goodness it was the '80s. And yes, it all grew back . . . because of a faithful priesthood holding daddy, faith and prayer.
July 16, 1994 - Danny, only 10 years old was missing for 1/2 a day during the summer of many attempted abductions of children. I was at Christmas in July super Saturday when mom sent someone over to the church to see if Danny was with me. He hadn't been seen in a few hours. The entire ward Relief Society was out looking for him as well as the police department after being missing for 3 hours. Outcome: He was found with his Dad who had an emergency job in Salt Lake. Randy took him not thinking to tell my mom who was the last to see him walking home from her house.
July 11, 1998 - Jaclyn & Suzy on an other Relief Society Christmas in July Super Saturday, I received an urgent message that my girls had been in an accident. I knew that Jaclyn was driving my little convertible and they were on their way to pick up Danny at the airfield on Saratoga Road. A huge Hay baler truck ran them off the road, down an embankment and they crashed to a stop by a makeshift mailbox made from an axle from an old tractor . Outcome:
They were so blessed that day. The top was down on the car and the hay bailer arm just missed their heads by a few feet. The car somehow didn't roll and neither one was hurt.
July 9, 2007 - I got bit on the neck by a spider. Yes, a spider! with terrible muscle spasms, stiff neck, lots of pain along with 5 different prescriptions including shots of steroids etc. This went on for over 30 days.
Well, ya'll I am exhausted!!!! And I am sure you are too....... The good thing about this July is that it is half over!!!!! All is well, All is well!

Part One of "Someday you will laugh about this" curse.

The AC (anniversary curse) is alive and well at this Empty Nester house even 31 years later! Any of you who would be reading this will know what this curse is all about. Unfortunately, most of you know by your own unfortunate experiences. As I ponder upon this I believe that it must have something to do with the original 7-7-77. I mean really!!!! Who in the world gets the stomach flu on their wedding day in the middle of July. That would be me. AND further more, in between taking wedding pictures and leaning over the Colonial House bowl every 10 minutes, my new mom in law decided to call our hometown doctor and have his nurse rush over and "give me something quick!" I was excited to see her because as she was flicking the needle and taking careful aim at my backside I exclaimed with great amazement " I didn't know that they have a shot for the stomach flu!" I remember her removing the needle and placing a band aid on me all in one efficient movement, looking up at me and saying " Oh no honey, this shot is not for the flu. It is for your nerves! Ina told us that you needed a little something to help you relax." I didn't know what to say! I was shocked. What was there to be nervous about????? This was my wedding reception. An event I had looked forward to for years. This was supposed to be fun. I just had the good old fashioned stomach flu. That's all. Well, the rest is history. I was so drugged by the shot of who knows what ( I honestly don't think I had ever had anything more than an aspirin or penicillin in my life) that I could hardly stand. I felt like my head was in a fish bowl. I just stood, shook hands and smiled and nodded at what ever was said because I couldn't hear. Everything was slurred and in slow motion to me. My eyes were blurry and my head was spinning and pounding and now I WAS really, really sick. Honestly, I had to leave my own reception line, trudge up the Colonial House stairs to the brides room and colapse on the floor with my bridesmaids following me. Someone was quick to tell me "Someday you will laugh about this." Well, that day is still not here, at least not yet. Bright side? I still got the groom, the Temple Sealing was perfect and I honestly looked lovely in my wedding pictures. I guess cause I was too sick to really care. Part 2 tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Thirty One-derful Years

Can it be true? Surely 7-7-77 was just yesterday wasn't it? Well ,we had a wonderful anniversary. Randy and I headed out for a spontanious day in Salt Lake. We divided our interests quite well I must say. Right off the bat we headed to Cabella's and Randy purchased a charcoal outdoor cooker that only takes 4 to 6 brickettes and is very compact and a great addition to our emergency stash, (Randy is catching on to my latest passion:) and we couldn't pass up the pecans and almonds. Then on to the Cheesecake Factory for a fabulous lunch and this will be hard to believe but we had to pass on the cheesecake we were both so full. Then Randy chose the first movie of the day at the Megaplex in Sandy - Iron Man - actually it was very good. Then it was my turn :) On our way to the west side we just happened to pass Tai Pan. I was very, very good and only purchased two lighted houses for my collection . What control!
Our next stop was Gardner Village, I found an old gift certificate from 2006 in the bottom of my garment drawer today - - - hmmmm maybe I need to do some whites today! Anyway 50 bucks to spend and that I did. I believe Randy even enjoyed it too. Next Randys turn, and where else but Costco. Great choice considering the gravity spray paint gun was back in stock that he and Jake have been looking for, for over a year was IN! Great news. Now he will get to use it. Which is even better news for me! We were both pretty tired so we thought lets go to an other movie and relax and this time it was my choice . I went for a Suzy recommendation, Made of Honor. It was at the Sandy bargin theatre for .50 cents. I know, I know money is not an issue with us . I quite enjoyed it but I think most of the people around us were wondering why I was laughing so much and that would be . . . .half way through the movie a sweet looking older grandma and her boyfriend scooted in right next to Randy, well unfortunately, our oriental friend loves garlic, onions and curry and well to put it nicely . . . . the aroma was just oozing out of her pores. You all know when "Cowboy" has the blahs???? Well this was really bad timing for him. He pretty much sat on my lap the rest of the movie. I had put on some nice peach lotion earlier and he held my hand over his nose to help his situation, soon he was putting on my peach lotion himself and smelling it all night long. Somehow I think I wont be able to wear that scent again..... Anyway there you have it! Thirty onederful years. Oh and nothing life threatning happened this year to any of you . . . but after the show expericnce Randy may beg to differ!

So, who is free Don & what is he really ringing????

What a great Independence day it was. What can be better than to be surrounded by family and friends? To begin with I started early in the morning cooking and cleaning and making final arrangements for a wonderful 4th of July. The house was in order, food all prepared, the backyard was looking great and above all our family, including my 92 year old mom, were all going to be together for the entire evening ( minus Meg who was on her way to St. George for baby Lilly's blessing on Sunday - Dan was joining her at midnight and riding down with her brother and sister in law) and Suzy's good friend Dakota joined us too. Anyway, as we all sat down to dinner I happily announced that each family was to take home part of the table decorations for their homes. Well, Jaclyn being the ever present editor quickly pointed out the misspelling on our cute Let Freedom Ring decoration. I guess that is what you get when you buy things at Tai Pan!!
Especially when it's the good people in China are making patriotic items for us Americans.
But honestly we had a great day. Good food, good company, fabulous game of baseball at the high school, great fireworks at Thanksgiving Point and a wonderful display of legal and not so legal fireworks provided by Wyoming Dan and friends at Rob and Carol's Home.

Blogger - Clogger it's all the same!

Look at me now family who would have thought? Thanks to Jaclyn and her quick but precise lesson on blogging in between afternoon naps here I am. A blogger. It kind of makes me want to laugh. Maybe because it sounds like a clogger and you all know how that makes me laugh. It doesn't matter where I am, from Miss Richfield to Miss Utah to Miss America, I can't help myself, whenever that music starts and those feet get a goin' on stage I am a goner. So how was that for a first post? I am sure you are all so very proud of me. While you are at it check out the picture of me and "My Cowboy" on the side!!!!!